Budapest Mayor Under Investigation for Organizing Banned Pride March

The questioning of Budapest's mayor highlights the ongoing clash between local leadership and the national government's restrictive policies on LGBTQ+ rights.

Budapest’s Mayor Gergely Karacsony has been questioned as a suspect in the organization of a recently banned LGBTQ pride march, which occurred on June 28 despite government threats of legal action. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his nationalist agenda, has imposed strict laws against such events, claiming child protection concerns regarding public discussions of homosexuality.

Defying the ban, the pride march saw participation from a record-setting 200,000 people, evolving swiftly into a significant anti-government rally. Donning a rainbow T-shirt adorned with Budapest's coat of arms, Karacsony addressed a gathering of supporters outside Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation, declaring, “Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest.”

If convicted of encouraging participation in the banned event, the mayor could face up to one year in prison. He stressed the unfounded nature of the accusations and is planning to file a complaint against the police probe. "If it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished,” he asserted.

This pride march faced uncertainty since the government enacted its law regarding public gatherings linked to the promotion of homosexuality earlier this year. These measures are part of a wider campaign against Hungary's LGBTQ+ community, following previous legislation that removed legal recognition for transgender individuals in 2020 and further restrictions in 2021.

Despite warnings, Karacsony maintained that Budapest city hall would proceed to coordinate the pride event, framing it as a municipal activity, which he argued should not be subject to police prohibition. Last month, authorities indicated they would not penalize parade participants, who risked fines of up to €500.

Meanwhile, Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation has initiated an inquiry into the organizers of the march, designating them as an "unknown perpetrator." The events surrounding the Budapest Pride serve as a bold statement against Orban’s legal intimidation tactics and demonstrate the city's resistance in favor of LGBTQ+ rights.